Violence broke out in Libya following a contentious football match, leaving several people injured and resulting in a fire attack on a government building in the capital, Tripoli.
The unrest began in the western town of Tarhuna, located about 80 kilometres south of Tripoli, after a behind-closed-doors fixture between Tripoli’s Al-Ittihad SCSC and Misrata-based Asswehly SC on Thursday. Tensions rose sharply when Al-Ittihad players protested a late match decision, claiming they were wrongly denied a penalty in the closing stages of the game. The match was ultimately suspended before full-time amid rising tempers.
According to the Libyan News Agency (LANA), the disagreement quickly escalated outside the stadium, where angry supporters clashed with security forces deployed to restore order.
The confrontation reportedly spread into surrounding areas, resulting in injuries, although authorities have not yet provided an official figure for those affected.
The situation further deteriorated when parts of Tripoli came under attack, with the Council of Ministers’ headquarters reportedly targeted and set ablaze in what officials described as acts of sabotage and arson. Firefighters managed to contain the blaze, preventing it from spreading further within the complex.
The Libyan Presidential Council has condemned the violence and called for a full investigation into the incidents. It urged restraint among citizens and stressed that grievances related to sporting disputes should be addressed through legal and administrative channels rather than through acts of violence and destruction.
